Rappler Talk: How to make Philippine street art thrive

Street artists and foreign tourists would seem to occupy different worlds in the Philippines, but entrepreneur Don Angelo Bautista has found a way to bring the two worlds together.

Bautista has invited Filipino street artists to come in and create art on the walls of Lokal, the hostel he founded in Makati Poblacion. By commissioning these artists, he wants to give them a safe, legal platform where they can showcase their work.

Since Lokal is visited by backpackers from all around the world, they get to see some of the more unique artistic talents that the Philippines has to offer. Many of these tourists share photos of the art pieces on social media, as a remembrance of their stay in the country.

Bautista ultimately wants to professionalize street artists by encouraging them to pursue commissioned work with other business and community establishments. Street art, he believes, can give a place a unique sense of cultural identity and indirectly influence people to take better care of their neighborhoods.  – Rappler.com